Bridge · Štvanice, Holešovice and Troja
Hlávka Bridge
The widest bridge in the Czech Republic
Across Štvanice Island
Hlávka Bridge is the widest bridge in the Czech Republic. As the twelfth bridge across the Vltava, it links the right-bank Ludvíka Svobody and Rohanské embankments with the left-bank Kapitána Jaroše and Bubenské embankment. It is directly connected to the so-called Masaryk Station overpass. It crosses Štvanice Island and connects it with both river banks.
At a glance
Facts from the page text- Named after
- Josef Hlávka, builder and philanthropist
- Arches
- 7
- Rebuilt and widened
- 1958–1962
- Designers
- Pavel Janák, František Mencl
An interesting fact about Hlávka Bridge is that its name has never been changed, which cannot be said of other bridges in Prague. It is named after Josef Hlávka, a renowned builder and philanthropist. Its construction was prompted by the building of the Central Slaughterhouses of the Prague Municipality in Holešovice. The iron section was built between 1908 and 1910, and the reinforced-concrete section between 1910 and 1911. Between 1958 and 1962 it underwent essential reconstruction and widening. Only part of its decoration was untouched during the rebuild, and the iron section was replaced by reinforced concrete.
The bridge with 7 arches was decorated by Bohumil Kafka and Ladislav Kofránek with reliefs over 2.5 m tall, carved directly into the concrete. In the corners of the main arches there are 12 medallions of personalities connected with the bridge by Josef Mařatka and Otto Gutfreund. Architect Pavel Janák and engineer František Mencl as the bridge's designers do not have their medallions there, however.
You can see Hlávka Bridge for example by hiring a boat for a private or corporate event.
Did you know?
Things you may not know
Never renamed
Unlike other Prague bridges, it has never changed its name.
Built for the slaughterhouses
Its construction was prompted by the Central Slaughterhouses of the Prague Municipality in Holešovice.
Reliefs in concrete
Bohumil Kafka and Ladislav Kofránek carved reliefs over 2.5 m tall directly into the concrete.
Missing medallions
The 12 medallions by Josef Mařatka and Otto Gutfreund leave out the bridge's own designers, Janák and Mencl.
Prague from the deck
Choose a sightseeing cruise
Prague's landmarks are best seen from the river – choose one of our sightseeing cruises on the Vltava.
